London trivia questions

You could spend a lifetime exploring our richly diverse capital but just how much do you know about London already? Below is a list of trivia questions and answers - how many do you know? We'll add more and more over the next coming weeks.

If you can think of any worthwhile nuggets of trivia about our beloved capital, please send them to info@viridianapartments.com and we’ll include them (with a shout out if you like)!

p.s. Looking for a city break soon? Look no further than the apartments we operate around London - all serviced, self-contained, fully furnished and Covid-safe accredited. And such fantastic locations around the capital!

#9 How many languages are spoken in London?

There are over 250 different languages spoken by London residents, making the capital one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world. Visitors to the city will hear a huge range of languages including Punjabi, Mandarin, Bengali, Turkish, Greek, Italian... In fact, 22% of Londoners say they speak a second language! We love our multicultural capital.

#8 Who established the first secular nursing school in the world at St Thomas’ Hospital in London #IWD2021

A special one in honour of International Women's Day today! Florence Nightingale - after rising to prominence during the Crimean War where she led a team of nurses, Florence Nightingale established the first secular nursing school in the world at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

#7 How much of London's Underground tube network is actually above ground?

55% of the London Underground is in fact above ground – only 45% is actually within tunnels. And here's a few more nuggets of trivia...

The deepest lift shaft is Hampstead at 55.2 metres. The first tube journey was taken in 1863 which makes the Tube the world’s oldest metro system. Baker Street has the most platforms with 10 in total. Waterloo is the busiest station with over 100 million passengers per year!

#6 Which famous London park features Speakers' Corner?

The famous Speakers' Corner is located in the North East corner of Hyde Park not far from Marble Arch tube station. It is thought to be the oldest living free speech platform in the world. Visit on a Sunday morning to hear people from all walks of life share their views.

#5 What musical note does Big Ben chime?

The Elizabeth Tower is probably the world's most famous clock tower. At 11 floors, 96 metres, it’s a long climb to the top. 334 steps in fact to the Belfry where Big Ben, the Great Bell, hangs. The musical note this iconic bell makes when struck is E. Did you know that Big Ben is not the only bell in the clocktower? There are four smaller bells beneath Big Ben that ring on the ‘quarter’ hours. They strike the notes G sharp, F sharp, E and B and combine to form the famous tune.

#4 Which area of London is believed to derive its name from a former hunting cry?

Soho...! Few place names in our capital roll off the tongue so beautifully like "Soho" does. The name first appears in the 17th century and may possibly derive from a former hunting cry. It is also thought that the 1st Duke of Monmouth, used "soho" as a rallying call for his men at the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685. Nowadays, the energetic streets of Soho are firm hotspots within the West End, featuring a variety of dining, nightlife, and shopping options. Theatre-goers head to nearby Shaftesbury Avenue.

#3 What is banned in Trafalgar Square?

Feeding the pigeons. On 10 September 2007 bye-laws were secured that ensured bird feeding was banned throughout the entire central London square and surrounding areas.

Trafalgar Square is a public square in the centre of the capital and features some of London’s most famous attractions, from galleries (The National Gallery sits pride of place) and historic buildings to statues and monuments (Nelson’s Column is a key feature of the square.) Events are also staged there throughout the year.

#2 Who said ‘When a man is tired of London he is tired of life’?

Samuel Johnson, a famous English writer, said this in 1777. He was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor, and lexicographer. Samuel said this - now famous - quote when discussing with a friend whether or not his affection for London would wear thin should he choose to live there, as opposed to the zest he felt on his occasional visits. 

#1 Who was London founded by and what did they call the city to begin with?

A: The Romans founded London about 50 CE. They originally called it ‘Londinium’, a name derived from the Celtic word Londinios, which means the place of the bold one.

There are a million and one reasons to love London; from its rich culture and celebration of creativity to its legendary nightlife and global cuisine, our capital remains one of the most popular city destinations in the world for good reason. A place of endless possibilities with a diverse tapestry of personalities throughout the many districts. 

Looking to visit London soon? Look no further than the apartments we operate around the capital - all serviced, self-contained, fully furnished and Covid-safe accredited - offering guests the comforts of home, set in convenient locations.